Micro-landscapes, a counterpoint

French novelist Marcel Proust said “Discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” It is my favorite quote, one penned to me with a gift from my mother. This has been one of my greatest lessons in my passion for photography. My previous post features a wide angle landscape image of a rising sun over the Alaskan tundra. While I was setting up for this shot, awaiting the sunrise, I found several other compositions – right under my feet. Walking around, I searched for a pleasing composition, ever mindful of where I placed my feet. A micro landscape spread out in every direction, lichens, mosses, berry plants. All colorful in their Fall phase; bear berries, blue berries, and caribou moss – named so for their antler-like appearance. The carpet of color literally went on as far as the eye could see. This was to be my subject, soon the coming sunrise was a distant memory. I found myself running back to set up my tripod as the sun finally peaked over the distant Alaskan Range, hurrying to catch the starburst.

The moral of the story? Don’t be content in what lies before you – within easy reach. Look around, see with new eyes.

Bear Berry, Caribou Moss

B&W Bears, Post 3

Here are another pair of images from the brown bears on the Katmai Coast. The reception for these b&w versions has been great, and I’ve got to say – I’m hooked. For me, b&w puts more stress on texture and composition. You also have a little more flexibility with b&w. All of these images were shot in mid-day light. Not the soft, warm light you find at the small hours of the day – known as the golden hours. Often times, creativity begets creativity. I now have more favorite images from the trip (and the b&w’s outnumber the color). This exercise has boosted my creativity, and reminded me that creativity shouldn’t end in the field.